Strata Breach
Laughing Monk Brewing

Man here is another one picked up at Berkeley Bowl after the SFBW in Feb 2020. Little did I know that would be the last beerfest I'd go to for about 1.5 years and counting. Thanks government.

Pours a yellow color, almost straw like yellow with ample clarity, 1/2" white head. This looks like a low malt/barley kind of ipa to showcase the Strata hop, makes sense, rarely understand the idea of a heavy malted single hop beer, showcase the hop man! Here, Strata smells delicious. Ample notes of dank indoor grown weed, passion fruit, mint and berries.

Taste continues to push the Strata all over the place, fully enveloped taste buds and mouthfeel, totally complimentary role from Admiral maltings, showing a deft touch of hand married with the Strata hop. Light stone fruit note accompanies everything else mentioned in the aroma section. Crisply appropriate carbonation. Weed note varies like you're getting two strains at once.

Man I wish I ran into this brewery's beers more often.

 

L- Super clear and yellow, nice to look at an ipa that isn't foggy.

S- Sorta piss-y and lemongrassy. Something a little different going on in the smell. Not sure that I like it but it is interesting.

T- Clean drinking malts with balanced bitterness. It has some lager flavors before the hops come. No real juicy/fruit things going on which is nice. Hops are on the green grass and fresh vegetal side of things.

F- Light and drying. Definitely like the less sweet feel and rounded bitter ending.

O- Interesting and tasty beer. Nice change of pace from the hazy ipa's, still has some specific fun flavors. Smell is a little strange but after getting into drinking, really enjoyable. Got a can that was packaged recently, would be interested to see if all the flavors and sells stick around.